Cartridge for the preparation of beverages

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for preparation of a beverage is provided which is sealed prior to use and contains one or more beverage ingredients. The cartridge comprises:
         a body defining a beverage ingredient chamber containing the one or more beverage ingredients;   a first filter defining an exit from the beverage ingredient chamber;   a second filter downstream of, and spaced apart from, the first filter; and   a flow constriction downstream of the second filter,       

     such that in use beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients passes, in order, through the first filter, the second filter and the flow constriction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/737,849, filed Jun. 12, 2015, which claims the benefit of GreatBritain Application No. 1410615.7, filed Jun. 13, 2014, both of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to cartridges for the preparation ofbeverages and which contain one or more ingredients for the preparationof beverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Domestic filter coffee machines have been widely available since the1960s. Domestic coffee machines have developed significantly since theintroduction of the first filter machines and are now essential piecesof kitchen equipment in many households. Some such machines dispenseindividual servings of a beverage directly into a drinking receptacle,and derive the beverage from a bulk supply of beverage ingredient orfrom individual packages of beverage ingredient such as pods, pads orcartridges. In the following specification, such packages will bereferenced by the general term cartridges. Machines which use suchcartridges eliminate the need for cleaning and can enable the user tomake a selection of beverages. An example of one system using suchcartridges is described in EP-A-1440903. The beverages are formed frombrewing, mixing, dissolving or suspending the beverage ingredients inwater. For example, for coffee beverages, heated water is forced throughthe cartridges to form the extracted solution. The use of cartridges insuch machines has become increasingly popular due to their convenienceand the quality of the beverage produced.

To allow a user to produce a full range of beverages in the home it isnot only necessary to provide means for brewing high quality beveragessuch as filter coffee and tea, it is also necessary to provide the userwith means for producing foamed beverages or beverage components. Thismay be, for example to make beverages such as cappuccino. Traditionallyfoamed milk has been produced in coffee shops by using a steam wand todirect a steam jet into a reservoir of liquid milk. This is still theprimary method of producing foamed milk in a commercial environment.However, it is inconvenient to use steam jet equipment in the home sinceit can be dangerous if not used correctly and can also be difficult toclean. This is particularly disadvantageous for equipment used with milkwhich requires thorough cleaning to prevent contamination.

An example of a cartridge for a domestic beverage machine which issuitable for producing foamed milk from a concentrated liquid milkingredient is known from EP-A-1716055. Foamed milk is produced from thecartridge by causing air to become entrained in a milk stream producedwhen water is mixed with the concentrated liquid milk ingredientcontained within the cartridge. This is achieved by passing the beverageso formed through an eductor within the cartridge. The eductor comprisesan aperture forming a constriction in the flow path which is arranged toproduce a jet of the beverage and a consequent reduction in the pressureof the beverage. The jet of beverage exits the constriction and passesover an air inlet whilst still at a sub-atmospheric pressure causing airto become entrained in the beverage thereby creating a foamed beverage.Foamed milk produced from such cartridges allows coffee shop stylebeverages, such as cappuccino, to be readily produced in the homewithout the need for potentially dangerous, and difficult to clean,steam wand equipment.

Foamed beverages may also be produced from cartridges of this typecontaining soluble and powdered beverage ingredients, for examplechocolate powder for a hot chocolate beverage or milk powder for acappuccino-type beverage. However, there are a number of particularproblems in using these cartridges for soluble, powdered and liquidbeverage ingredients.

It is necessary to adequately mix the beverage ingredient with waterinjected into the cartridge to provide a uniform beverage containing thedesired amount of beverage ingredient. Inadequate mixing may result insome beverage ingredient remaining in the chamber or in coagulates ofbeverage ingredient forming in the beverage. In addition, coagulates ofthis type may block the constriction, preventing flow of the beveragethrough the constriction to form a jet. This may cause an undesirableback-pressure in the cartridge behind the constriction, resulting insplitting or other failure of the cartridge and/or preventing properfunctioning of the eductor by hindering the production of the jet ofbeverage. It should also be appreciated that the soluble beverage massmay contain a minority of insoluble material (as found in chocolatepowder) or large particles of soluble beverage ingredients (milk powderparticles, for example) which may not fully dissolve in the water. Theseparticles may likewise function to block the flow constriction.

For these reasons, it is necessary to manage the flow of water withinthe cartridge to ensure proper mixing and pressure distribution andfoaming of the beverage.

Accordingly, there is a desire for a beverage cartridge which ensuresadequate mixing of the beverage ingredients, ensures proper water flowwith in the cartridge and prevents undesirable levels of back pressurewhen using a flow constriction to foam the beverage.

It will be understood that by the term “cartridge” as used herein ismeant a capsule, pod, package, or container which contains one or morebeverage ingredients in the manner described and is suitable for usewith a beverage preparation machine. The cartridge may comprise a singlecomponent or an equivalent of multiple components. Preferably thecartridge is adapted to produce an individual serving of beverage. Thecartridge may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. The inlet and outlet ofthe cartridge may be open or require opening in use by, for example,piercing.

In the following description the terms “upper” and “lower” andequivalents will be used to describe the relational positioning offeatures of the disclosure. The terms “upper” and “lower” andequivalents should be understood to refer to the cartridge (or othercomponents) in its normal orientation for insertion into a beveragepreparation machine and subsequent dispensing. In particular, “upper”and “lower” refer, respectively, to relative positions nearer or furtherfrom a closed top 29 of the cartridge. In addition, the terms “inner”and “outer” and equivalents will be used to describe the relationalpositioning of features of the disclosure. The terms “inner” and “outer”and equivalents should be understood to refer to relative positions inthe cartridge (or other components) being, respectively, nearer orfurther from a centre or major axis of the cartridge 1 (or othercomponent).

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a cartridge forpreparation of a beverage, the cartridge being sealed prior to use andcontaining one or more beverage ingredients, the cartridge beingsuitable to receive in use an aqueous medium which may be brought intocontact with the one or more beverage ingredients to produce a beveragewhich may be output from the cartridge,

-   -   the cartridge comprising:        -   a body defining a beverage ingredient chamber containing the            one or more beverage ingredients;        -   a first filter defining an exit from the beverage ingredient            chamber;        -   a second filter downstream of, and spaced apart from, the            first filter; and        -   a flow constriction downstream of the second filter,    -   such that in use beverage produced from the one or more beverage        ingredients passes, in order, through the first filter, the        second filter and the flow constriction.

In the present disclosure, reference to “one or more beverageingredients” and “beverage ingredient(s)” is intended to refer to one ormore ingredients suitable for forming a beverage. The “one or morebeverage ingredients”/“beverage ingredient(s)” may comprise a singlesubstance or may comprise a beverage composition comprising two or moresubstances. Unless explicitly required by the context, references to“beverage ingredient” in the singular are intended to include the pluraland vice versa.

The first filter may comprise a first filter wall and the second filtermay comprise a second filter wall.

The first filter and the second filter may each comprise a rigid elementhaving a plurality of filtering apertures located therein.

The first filter may extend around the second filter.

The first filter and the second filter may be arranged concentrically.

The first filter may comprise a first tubular member having a pluralityof first filtering apertures located therein and the second filter maycomprise a second tubular member having a plurality of second filteringapertures located therein. The second tubular member may be arrangedwithin the first tubular member.

The cartridge may further comprise a discharge spout for channelling thebeverage, in use, towards an outlet of the cartridge. The first andsecond filters may be arranged around the discharge spout. A flowdirection, in use, of the beverage flowing from the second filter to theflow constriction may be opposed to a flow direction, in use, of thebeverage flowing out of the discharge spout.

An inlet of the cartridge may be provided, or formed in use, at or neara periphery of the capsule.

The cartridge may be configured to direct the aqueous medium enteringthe beverage ingredient chamber to circulate around the first filter.

The beverage ingredient chamber may be annular, with the first filterforming at least a part of an inner surface of the annular beverageingredient chamber. The body of the cartridge may be configured todirect the aqueous medium entering the beverage ingredient chamber at anangle greater than 45°, preferably at 90° from a radial direction of theannular beverage ingredient chamber such that the aqueous medium iscaused to circulate around the annular beverage ingredient chamber. Oneor more than one angled inlet may be provided to the annular beverageingredient chamber.

The local bed thickness of the beverage ingredient may be 1.5 to 2.2times the local bed width of the beverage ingredient, more preferablyapproximately 2 times the local bed width of the beverage ingredient.

An outlet of the cartridge may be provided, or formed in use, at or neara centre of the capsule.

The cartridge may be disc-shaped.

An inlet of the cartridge may be provided, or formed in use, and anoutlet of the cartridge may be provided, or formed in use on a samesurface of the cartridge. The same surface may be a lower surface of thecartridge when held in a beverage preparation machine ready fordispensation.

The first filter may comprise a plurality of first filtering aperturesand the second filter may comprise a plurality of second filteringapertures and wherein a critical dimension of the first filteringapertures may be larger than a critical dimension of the secondfiltering apertures.

The first filter and/or the second filter may comprise filteringapertures in the form of elongated slots formed respectively in a rigid,otherwise impermeable, wall element. The elongated slots may extend froma free edge of the respective wall element.

The body may comprise a cup-shaped member housing the first filter andthe second filter, an open mouth of the cup-shaped housing being sealedby a lid.

The first filter and/or the second filter may comprise filteringapertures in the form of elongated slots formed respectively in a rigid,otherwise impermeable, wall element, wherein the elongated slots extendinto contact with the lid.

The first filter and the second filter may form a part of an innermember located within the cup-shaped member. The first filter and thesecond filter may be formed as a unitary moulding of a polymericmaterial.

The flow constriction downstream of the second filter may be sizedand/or shaped to produce a jet of beverage as the beverage passes therethrough.

The cartridge may further comprise an air inlet aperture located in thevicinity of the flow constriction and downstream thereof, such that thejet of beverage passes over the air inlet aperture.

The cartridge may further comprise:

-   -   a second flow constriction downstream of the filter,

wherein the cartridge comprises a first flow path from the second filterto the first flow constriction and a second flow path from the secondfilter to the second flow constriction,

wherein the first and second flow constrictions are configured suchthat, in use, a first beverage jet emanates from the first flowconstriction and a second beverage jet emanates from the second flowconstriction, and the first and second flow constrictions are configuredso that the first and second beverage jets collide.

The first and second flow constrictions may be located opposite oneanother such that the first and second beverage jets impact one anothersubstantially head-on.

An air inlet aperture may be located in the vicinity of each flowconstriction and downstream thereof, such that the jets of beverage eachpass over an air inlet aperture.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure there is provided acartridge for preparation of a beverage, the cartridge being sealedprior to use and containing one or more beverage ingredients, thecartridge being suitable to receive in use an aqueous medium which maybe brought into contact with the one or more beverage ingredients toproduce a beverage which may be output from the cartridge,

the cartridge comprising:

-   -   a body defining a beverage ingredient chamber containing the one        or more beverage ingredients;    -   a filter defining an exit from the beverage ingredient chamber;        and    -   a first and a second flow constriction downstream of the filter,

wherein the cartridge comprises a first flow path from the filter to thefirst flow constriction and a second flow path from the filter to thesecond flow constriction,

wherein the first and second flow constrictions are configured suchthat, in use, a first beverage jet emanates from the first flowconstriction and a second beverage jet emanates from the second flowconstriction, and the first and second flow constrictions are configuredso that the first and second beverage jets collide.

The first and second flow constrictions may be located opposite oneanother such that the first and second beverage jets impact one anothersubstantially head-on.

An air inlet aperture may be located in the vicinity of each flowconstriction and downstream thereof, such that the jets of beverage eachpass over an air inlet aperture.

The filter may comprise a filter wall.

The filter may comprise a rigid element having a plurality of filteringapertures located therein.

The filter may comprise a tubular member having a plurality of filteringapertures located therein.

The cartridge may further comprise a discharge spout for channelling thebeverage, in use, towards an outlet of the cartridge.

The filter may be arranged around the discharge spout.

A flow direction, in use, of the beverage flowing from the filter to theflow constriction may be opposed to a flow direction, in use, of thebeverage flowing out of the discharge spout.

An inlet of the cartridge may be provided, or formed in use, at or neara periphery of the capsule.

The cartridge may be configured to direct the aqueous medium enteringthe beverage ingredient chamber to circulate around the filter.

The beverage ingredient chamber may be annular, with the filter formingat least a part of an inner surface of the annular beverage ingredientchamber.

The body of the cartridge may be configured to direct the aqueous mediumentering the beverage ingredient chamber at an angle greater than 45°,preferably at 90° from a radial direction of the annular beverageingredient chamber such that the aqueous medium is caused to circulatearound the annular beverage ingredient chamber. One or more than oneangled inlet may be provided to the annular beverage ingredient chamber.

The local bed thickness of the beverage ingredient may be 1.5 to 2.2times the local bed width of the beverage ingredient, more preferablyapproximately 2 times the local bed width of the beverage ingredient.

An outlet of the cartridge may be provided, or formed in use, at or neara centre of the capsule.

The cartridge may be disc-shaped.

An inlet of the cartridge may be provided, or formed in use, and anoutlet of the cartridge may be provided, or formed in use on a samesurface of the cartridge. The same surface may be a lower surface of thecartridge when held in a beverage preparation machine ready fordispensation.

The filter may comprise filtering apertures in the form of elongatedslots formed in a rigid, otherwise impermeable, wall element.

The elongated slots may extend from a free edge of the wall element.

The body may comprise a cup-shaped member housing the filter, an openmouth of the cup-shaped housing being sealed by a lid.

The filter may comprise filtering apertures in the form of elongatedslots formed in a rigid, otherwise impermeable, wall element, whereinthe elongated slots extend into contact with the lid.

The filter may form a part of an inner member located within thecup-shaped member.

The filter may be formed as a unitary moulding of a polymeric material.

In any of the aspects of the present disclosure, the first filter maycomprise a plurality of first filtering apertures and the second filter,where present, may comprise a plurality of second filtering aperturesand wherein a critical dimension (being the smallest dimension, forexample the width) of the first and/or second filtering apertures may be0.4 to 0.6 mm, preferably 0.5 mm.

In any of the aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge may bedisc-shaped having a central longitudinal axis, wherein an outlet of thecartridge may be orientated to output, in use, the beveragesubstantially in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, andwherein the first filter and the second filter may be orientated suchthat beverage passing through the first filter and the second filterflows between the first filter and the second filter in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

In any of the aspects of the present disclosure, the one or morebeverage ingredients may comprise one or more soluble beverageingredients. The one or more beverage ingredients may comprise one ormore powdered beverage ingredients. The one or more beverage ingredientsmay comprise insoluble- or reduced solubility-ingredients, for example,cocoa particles.

Further aspects of the present disclosure will now be set out that canbe applied to either the first or second aspects described above, singlyor in combination, or alternatively to other cartridges that may notnecessarily have all of the features of either the first or secondaspect.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a conduit upstream of theor each flow constriction may be configured to prevent deposition ofundissolved or partially dissolved beverage ingredient. Thisconfiguration may comprise shaping the conduit upstream of each flowconstriction, in particular the portion of the conduit immediatelyupstream of the flow constriction, to be smooth so as to have no deadspaces, sharp corners or sudden changes in concavity.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the beverage ingredientchamber may comprise one or more partition elements which act todemarcate two or more zones within the beverage ingredient chamber, eachof which contain the one or more beverage ingredients. Preferably, theone or more partition elements extend from the first filter towards thebody of the cartridge. The one or more partitions may be planar and maybe orientated radially within the body. Alternatively, the one or morepartitions may be curved.

The one or more partition elements may extend from a centrally-locatedfirst filter into contact with a surrounding wall of the body so as tofully separate zones, one from the other, within the beverage ingredientchamber. Each, separate, zone will comprise at least one inletpermitting entry of the aqueous medium into the zone and at least aportion of the first filter permitting exit of beverage from the zone.

In one example, four partitions are provided.

Advantageously, separating the beverage ingredient chamber into two ormore zones may produce better dissolution of the one or more beverageingredients by focussing the mixing of the aqueous medium and thebeverage ingredients in key areas and providing alternative flowpatterns.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a flow path from thefilter(s) to the flow constriction(s) may be configured to be spiral inshape. For example, spiral ramp elements may be located within anannular space between the terminal filter (the second filter wherepresent, or the first filter where only one filter is provided) and acylindrical tube, wherein the beverage is forced to flow through theannular space on the way to the flow constriction(s). The spiral rampelements cause the beverage to spiral around the cylindrical tubecreating additional mixing vortices and swirl within the beverage.Advantageously, this flow pattern can help to break up small, partiallywetted clumps of beverage ingredient which may have managed to pass thefilter(s). Additional obstructions, for example, ribs, corners, etc. canbe provided on the spiral ramp elements to aid break-up of clumps.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the beverage ingredientchamber may contain a plurality of bristles. The bristles advantageouslycan act to disrupt the flow path with the beverage ingredient chamber topromote turbulence and better mixing of the one or more beverageingredients. The bristles may be arranged around, and spaced from, thefirst filter. The bristles may comprise elongate plastic pins. Thebristles may extend the full height of the beverage ingredient chamber.The bristles may be formed unitarily as part of an inner member alsocomprising the first filter received within the body.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the body defining thebeverage ingredient chamber may have one or more lobes as part of anouter side wall of the beverage ingredient chamber. The one or morelobes may be smoothly, convexly curved (when viewed from a centre-pointof the cartridge). A lobe may be provided between pairs of inletapertures to the beverage ingredient chamber. Advantageously, the one ormore lobes can improve dissolution of the one or more beverageingredients by first, confining the incoming aqueous medium to a smallercross-sectional flow area leading to improved shear forces and higherflow velocities which improve dissolution. Secondly, the one or morelobes, when positioned between pairs of inlet apertures, tend todecrease the amount of ‘dead space’ in the beverage ingredient chamber.By ‘dead space’ is meant that part or parts of the volume of thebeverage ingredient chamber where circulating flow of the aqueous mediumand/or beverage tends not to reach. For example, with an annularbeverage ingredient chamber having four equi-spaced radially-directedinlet apertures at, say, 0°, 90°, 180° and 270° it has been found thatthe locations by the side wall at 45°, 135°, 225° and 315° tend to be‘dead spaces’ which tend not to be reached by circulating flow.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the beverage ingredientchamber may comprise two or more separate chambers each of which hold adifferent beverage ingredient(s). For example, a first chamber may holdsugar or a sugar-containing beverage ingredient(s) and a second chambermay hold a chocolate-containing beverage ingredient(s). Each, separate,chamber will comprise at least one inlet permitting entry of the aqueousmedium into the chamber and at least a portion of the first filterpermitting exit of beverage from the chamber. Advantageously, such anarrangement can be used to tailor the size and number of inlet aperturesand the size and number of filtering apertures to each beverageingredient(s).

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the beverage ingredientchamber may comprise a dedicated flow-conditioning chamber whichreceives incoming aqueous medium in a first condition and discharges theaqueous medium into a remainder of the beverage ingredient chamber in asecond condition. The first and second conditions may include one ormore of: first and second flow velocities, first and second flowdirections, and first and second flow compositions (i.e. the compositionof the flow in terms of the relative quantities of water, dissolvedbeverage ingredient(s) and/or undissolved beverage ingredient(s) at thatlocation). For example, the flow-conditioning chamber may comprise anangled wall to condition an incoming aqueous medium that has a firstcondition of a relatively low flow velocity, a radial flow direction anda composition of pure water into a second condition of a flow having arelatively high flow velocity, a tangential flow direction and acomposition of water mixed with one or more beverage ingredients.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the beverage ingredientchamber may comprise a plate member which initially rests on a bed ofthe one or more beverage ingredients. The use of the plate member findsparticular application where the inlet(s) to the beverage ingredientchamber are located at or towards a bottom of the beverage ingredientchamber. In use, as the one or more beverage ingredients isincrementally dissolved away beneath the plate member the weight of theplate member (which may be freely movable within the beverage ingredientchamber) forces undissolved beverage ingredient higher up in thebeverage ingredient chamber downwards into the path of the incomingaqueous medium. The plate member may comprise apertures to allow forcirculation of aqueous medium and/or beverage above and below the platemember in use.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the beverage ingredientchamber may contain a rotatable mixer blade assembly. The rotatablemixer blade assembly may comprise one or more vanes or blades which actto break up agglomerations of powdered beverage ingredient as therotatable mixer blade assembly rotates within the beverage ingredientchamber.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the beverage ingredientchamber may comprise one or more baffles orientated to induce verticalvortices within the beverage ingredient chamber.

In any of the above embodiments or aspects the first filter may comprisea plurality of first filtering apertures and the second filter, wherepresent, may comprise a plurality of second filtering apertures andwherein a critical dimension (being the smallest dimension, for examplethe width) of the first and/or second filtering apertures may be 0.4 to0.6 mm, preferably 0.5 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of cartridgeaccording to the present disclosure with a sealing laminate omitted toshow internal detail;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inner member of the cartridge of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inner member of FIG. 2 from anotherangle;

FIG. 3a is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inner member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 with thesealing laminate attached;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative inner member for use inthe cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the inner member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a cartridgeaccording to the present disclosure with a sealing laminate omitted toshow internal detail;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inner member of the cartridge ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the cartridge of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a comparative cartridge;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another example cartridge of thepresent disclosure; and

FIGS. 14 to 32 show views of cartridges embodying further aspects of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the disclosure will be illustrated by wayof example with reference to a cartridge for forming a beverage(otherwise known as a beverage capsule), in particular, a cartridge thatis a sealed, machine-insertable cartridge that can be used with abeverage preparation system for dispensing one of a range of beveragetypes on demand, preferably in a domestic setting.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of cartridge 1 according to thepresent disclosure. For clarity, cartridge 1 is illustrated containingno beverage ingredient so that features of the cartridge 1 may be moreeasily seen. However, prior to use, and during assembly, the cartridge 1would receive one or more beverage ingredients therein and then besealed by means of a lid 5 as will be described below, and as shown inFIG. 6.

The cartridge 1 generally comprises a body 2, an inner member 3 and thelid 5. The body 2, inner member 3 and lid 5 are assembled to form thecartridge 1.

The body 2 may generally comprise a cup-shaped member defining abeverage ingredient chamber 6 within an interior thereof. The body 2 mayhave a curved side wall 21, a closed top 29 and an open bottom 30defining an open mouth of the body 2 which is surrounded by a rim 46 anda flange 42 which extends radially outwards from the rim 46. Inaddition, the body 2 may further define an optional annular void space44 between an interior wall 43 of the container and the flange 42. Inthis case, a free edge of the interior wall 43 may define the rim 46.The closed top 29 of the body 2 may comprise, as shown in FIG. 6, acentrally-located cylindrical bore 40 that forms a depression in theouter surface of the body 2. A closed end of the cylindrical bore 40 maycomprise a cylindrical extension 24 of narrower diameter compared to thecylindrical bore 40, the function of which will be described furtherbelow.

The cartridge 1 further comprises an inlet point 13 and an outlet point14 as shown in FIG. 6. The inlet point 13 and the outlet point 14 definethe location of an inlet for aqueous medium, such as water, to enter inuse the cartridge 1 and the location of an outlet for beverage to leavethe cartridge 1 during dispensation. Preferably the inlet and outlet areinitially sealed by the lid 5 such that the inlet point 13 and outletpoint 14 are simply predetermined areas of the lid 5 to be pierced, cutor otherwise opened in use. Alternative forms of inlet and outlet may beprovided, for example, in the form of valve elements or tear-offelements that can be removed manually or by the beverage preparationmachine.

The body 2 of cartridge 1 may be generally circular or disc-shaped, witha diameter of the cartridge 1 being greater than its height. Typicallythe overall diameter of the body 2 is 74.5 mm±6 mm and the overallheight is 29 mm±3 mm. Typically, the internal volume of the cartridge 1able to receive beverage ingredient(s) when assembled is a maximum of 55ml (although it is not required that the internal volume is filled tocapacity with beverage ingredient(s)). The diameter of the body 2 may besmaller at the closed top 29 compared to the diameter at the bottom 30,resulting from a flaring of the curved side wall 21 from the closed top29 to the bottom 30.

The body 2 may comprise an inlet chamber 32 adjacent to the curved sidewall 21 aligned with the inlet point 13. The inlet chamber 32 comprisesa cylindrical wall structure having a jetting slot 33 at one sideconfigured to jet, in use, the aqueous medium entering the inlet chamber32 from the inlet point 13 into the beverage ingredient chamber 6 suchthat the aqueous medium circulates energetically around the beverageingredient chamber 6. The jetting slot 33 may be an elongated slot orslit. Preferably, the jetting slot 33 is orientated so that the aqueousmedium enters the beverage ingredient chamber 6 at an angle greater than45°, preferably at 90°, from a radial direction of the beverageingredient chamber 6.

The inner member 3 is located within the body 2. The inner member 3 isconnected to the body 2 and comprises a mounting flange 50, a firstfilter 8, a second filter 9, a flow constriction and a discharge spout12. The inner member 3 may be located centrally within the body 2 sothat a central axis of the inner member 3 is coincident with and alignedto a central axis of the body 2. The mounting flange 50 may be connectedto an inner surface of the closed top 29 of the body 2, for example byultrasonic welding. On assembly, the inner member 3 spans between theclosed top 29 of the body 2 and the lid 5, as shown in FIG. 6. The lid 5is sealed to distal rims of the inner member 3 as well as the body 2 aswill be described below.

With the inner member 3 in position within the body 2, the beverageingredient chamber 6, which holds the beverage ingredient prior todispensation, takes the form of an annular chamber extending between thecurved side wall 21 of the body 2 and the inner member 3.

The inner member 3 may be formed as a single integral moulding.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first filter 8 may take the form of atubular member that extends from the mounting flange 50 and defines afirst cylindrical filter wall 81 that forms an outer surface of theinner member 3. The first cylindrical filter wall 81 is provided at adistal end from the mounting flange 50 with a plurality of firstfiltering apertures 82.

The second filter 9 is arranged within the first cylindrical filter wall81 and takes the form of a second cylindrical filter wall 91. The secondcylindrical filter wall 91 extends from a transverse connecting flange17 that joins the second cylindrical filter wall 91 to the firstcylindrical filter wall 81. The second cylindrical filter wall 91 isprovided at a distal end from the mounting flange 50 with a plurality ofsecond filtering apertures 92.

As shown in FIG. 4, the transverse connecting flange 17 may be providedwith a plurality of radial stiffening ribs 60 on its lower face whichextend between the first cylindrical filter wall 81 and the secondcylindrical filter wall 91. In addition, further radially inwards, thetransverse connecting flange 17 may be provided with a plurality ofradial stiffening ribs 62 on its lower face which extend between thesecond cylindrical filter wall 91 and a cylindrical tube 16 whichsurrounds the discharge spout 12. Further, radially inwards, thetransverse connecting flange 17 may be provided with a plurality ofradial stiffening ribs 63 on its lower face which extend between thecylindrical tube 16 and a base of the discharge spout 12.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 3 a, the transverse connecting flange 17 mayalso be provided with a plurality of radial stiffening ribs 64 on itsupper face which extend between the first cylindrical filter wall 81 anda cylindrical wall 66 which is aligned with the second cylindricalfilter wall 91 but extends upwardly from the transverse connectingflange 17 in the opposite direction from the direction of the secondcylindrical filter wall 91. In other words the cylindrical wall 66 andthe second cylindrical filter wall 91 lie on opposite sides of thetransverse connecting flange 17.

In addition, further radially inwards, the transverse connecting flange17 may be provided with a plurality of radial stiffening ribs 65 on itsupper face which extend between the cylindrical wall 66 and cylindricalrim 20 which surrounds an upper end of the discharge spout 12.

The first filtering apertures 82 and the second filtering apertures 92are preferably formed as slots that are relatively thin in acircumferential direction of the first cylindrical filter wall 81 andsecond cylindrical filter wall 91 and relatively long in a longitudinaldirection thereof. The slots may be configured to filter out beverageingredient particles having a dimension of at least 0.5 mm, preferablyin the range 0.5-2 mm. A critical dimension (being the smallestdimension, for example the width) of the slots of the first cylindricalfilter wall 81 and second cylindrical filter wall 91 may be 0.4 to 0.6mm, preferably 0.5 mm, in order to capture the larger particles butallow flow of the beverage out of the beverage ingredient chamber 6without an unwanted substantial increase in back-pressure. The slots mayextend from a free edge (i.e. the rim) of each of the first cylindricalfilter wall 81 and second cylindrical filter wall 91. The slots in thefirst cylindrical filter wall 81 may be 3.0 mm long. The slots in thesecond cylindrical filter wall 91 may be 1.8 mm long.

The first filter 8 and second filter 9 may each be formed from a rigid,impermeable material, such as a plastics material, such that none of thebeverage, aqueous medium or beverage ingredient may pass through thefirst filter 8 and second filter 9 except through the first filteringapertures 82 and second filtering apertures 92.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second cylindrical filter wall 91 is arrangedwithin the first cylindrical filter wall 81. The second filter 9 is inthis way arranged downstream of, and spaced apart from, the first filter8 even though the first filter 8 and second filter 9 may both be formedas integral parts of the inner member 3. The first cylindrical filterwall 81 and second cylindrical filter wall 91 may be arrangedconcentrically with one another and also be centred on the central axisof the body 2 when assembled.

The discharge spout 12 of the inner member 3 is arranged for channellingthe beverage towards the outlet point 14 of the cartridge 1. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, the outlet point 14 may be provided at or nearthe central axis of the cartridge 1. The discharge spout 12 may besurrounded by the cylindrical tube 16 which extends part-way along thelength of the inner member 3 from the transverse connecting flange 17.The discharge spout 12 and cylindrical tube 16 may be arrangedconcentrically within the second cylindrical filter wall 91. Thus,preferably all of the first cylindrical filter wall 81, secondcylindrical filter wall 91, cylindrical tube 16 and discharge spout 12are arranged concentrically to one another and centred on the centralaxis of the cartridge 1.

An annular space 18 is defined between an inner face of the secondcylindrical filter wall 91 and an outer face of the cylindrical tube 16.The cylindrical tube 16 is not provided with any openings and does notallow passage of fluid across its wall. Instead, fluid communicationbetween the annular space 18 and the discharge spout 12 is provided by achannel 19 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The channel 19 defines a passage,akin to a chimney, extending parallel to the central axis of thecartridge 1 from the vicinity of the second filtering apertures 92 andthrough the transverse connecting flange 17. The channel 19 is definedby two curved walls 19 a and 19 b that extend, on the lower side of thetransverse connecting flange 17, between the second cylindrical filterwall 91 and the cylindrical tube 16 and extend, on the upper side of thetransverse connecting flange 17, between the cylindrical wall 66 and thecylindrical rim 20. The lower end of the two curved walls 19 a and 19 bstops short of the rims of the second cylindrical filter wall 91 and thecylindrical tube 16 so as to form an entry point 67 of the channel 19.An exit point of the channel 19 at the upper end of the channel 19 is influid communication with the flow constriction as will be describedfurther below.

The cartridge 1 may be provided with means for entraining air into thebeverage, for example in the form of an eductor. As used herein, theterm eductor refers to the use of a flow constriction in the form of anaperture, or similar structure, to form a jet of beverage, the aperturebeing located in the beverage flow path upstream of an air inlet 27 andan expansion chamber, said aperture being arranged to produce a jet ofbeverage which jets into the expansion chamber to produce a low pressurezone in the vicinity of the air inlet 27 which causes air to be drawnthrough the air inlet 27 and to become entrained in the beverage streamas a plurality of bubbles.

In the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6, the flow constriction isarranged downstream of the second filter 9, that is downstream of thesecond cylindrical filter wall 91. As shown in FIGS. 3, 3 a and 6, thecylindrical rim 20 surrounds an inlet to the discharge spout 12. Aninwardly directed shoulder 26 is provided immediately within thecylindrical rim 20. At one point around the circumference of thecylindrical rim 20 a slot 25 is provided, the slot 25 extending from anupper edge of the cylindrical rim 20 to a point marginally below thelevel of the inwardly directed shoulder 26. As shown in FIG. 6, when thecartridge 1 is assembled, the cylindrical extension 24 of the body 2 isseated within the cylindrical rim 20 and rests against the inwardlydirected shoulder 26. The cylindrical extension 24 substantially closesoff the inlet of the discharge spout 12 including closing off the upperend of the slot 25. Because the slot 25 in the cylindrical rim 20extends below the level of the inwardly directed shoulder 26, theaperture for forming a jet of beverage remains open to provide a fluidpath through the cylindrical rim 20. Thus on assembly, the slot 25together with the body 2 define the flow constriction in the form of theresulting aperture. The resulting aperture may be of dimension 0.65mm×1.00 mm with a cross-sectional area of 0.65 mm².

Preferably, the location of the slot 25 is aligned with the exit pointof the channel 19 as shown in FIG. 3 a.

As shown in FIG. 3a , the air inlet 27 is located immediately downstreamof the aperture resulting from partial closure of the slot 25. The airinlet 27 may comprise a round hole, but in the illustrated embodimentcomprises an elongated slot that extends through the transverseconnecting flange 17 so as to provide gas communication between a pointabove the transverse connecting flange 17 within an upper part of thedischarge spout 12 and a void space below the transverse connectingflange 17 between the cylindrical tube 16 and the discharge spout 12.Preferably, the air inlet 27 is circumferentially aligned with the slot25. The air inlet 27 is provided within a tapered channel 70 formed inline with the slot 25. The tapered channel 70 comprises a floor and twoside walls that converge towards a lip 72. The air inlet 27 may belocated towards a root of the tapered channel 70 adjacent thecylindrical rim 20.

The upper end of the discharge spout 12 may also be provided with aplurality of upstanding projections 71 which extend upwards from thetransverse connecting flange 17 and surround a mouth of the exit bore ofthe discharge spout 12.

The diameter of the first cylindrical filter wall 81 may be relativelylarge compared to the internal diameter of the beverage ingredientchamber 6. For example, the diameter of the first cylindrical filterwall 81 may be 29 mm and the maximum internal diameter of the beverageingredient chamber 6 may be 57 mm. Therefore, each side of the resultantannular beverage ingredient chamber 6, as shown in FIG. 6, has a width,w, of 14 mm and a height, h, of 29 mm. Thus a void space is providedthat allows beverage ingredient(s) to be filled into the cartridge 1where the local bed thickness of the beverage ingredient(s) isapproximately 2 times the local bed width of the beverage ingredient(s).

The lid 5 may be formed from a composite material. The compositematerial may comprise an aluminium layer. The composite material maycomprise one or more polymer layers, for example a polypropylene layerand/or a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer.

When sealed to the body 2, the lid 5 forms a seal with the flange 42 ofthe body 2 and also a rim of the inlet chamber 32. In addition, the lid5 is sealed to the distal end of the inner member 3, namely the rimsformed by the free edges of the first cylindrical filter wall 81, thesecond cylindrical filter wall 91 and the cylindrical tube 16.

The cartridge 1 may contain one or more beverage ingredients in thebeverage ingredient chamber 6. The cartridge 1 of the present disclosurefinds particular application where the one or move beverage ingredientsare one or more soluble beverage ingredients. For example, the one ormore beverage ingredients may comprise one or more powdered beverageingredients. The one or more beverage ingredients may compriseinsoluble- or reduced solubility-particles, for example, cocoa powder orpowder mixes containing coarsely ground spices (e.g. cinnamon). Anon-exhaustive list of example beverage ingredients includes chocolatepowder, milk powder, creamers, soluble coffee, fruit and vegetablepowders, flavourings, herbs and partially/coarsely ground spicesincluding but not limited to cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, etc.

In use, the sealed cartridge 1 is inserted in, or otherwise coupled to,a beverage preparation machine in order to dispense a beverage (orbeverage part) from the cartridge 1. During operation of thedispensation cycle an inlet is formed at the inlet point 13 and anoutlet is formed at the outlet point 14, for example, by piercing of thelid 5 by elements of the beverage preparation machine. A beverage flowpath can then be defined linking the inlet point 13 to the outlet point14 along which an aqueous fluid, which will be exemplified in thefollowing as hot water, can pass. The beverage flow path is defined byspatial inter-relationships between the body 2, the inner member 3 andthe lid 5.

The beverage flow path passes, in order, from the inlet point 13,through the inlet chamber 32, out of the jetting slot 33, around theannular beverage ingredient chamber 6, through the first filteringapertures 82 of the first cylindrical filter wall 81, through the secondfiltering apertures 92 of the second cylindrical filter wall 91, intothe annular space 18, into and up the channel 19, through the apertureof the eductor, over the air inlet 27 of the eductor, into the dischargespout 12 and finally arrives at the outlet point 14. From the outlet atthe outlet point 14 the beverage may be discharged into a suitablereceptacle.

The orientation of the jetting slot 33 causes the hot water entering theannular beverage ingredient chamber 6 to swirl and circulate around theinner member 3, potentially a large number of times. In so doing the hotwater is better able to dissolve the soluble beverage ingredients. Inparticular the energetic nature of the jet of hot water from the jettingslot 33 and the circulation of the hot water around the fullcircumference of the annular beverage ingredient chamber 6 helps tobreak up any agglomerations of soluble beverage ingredient within thecartridge 1. Further, whilst not wishing to be bound by theory, theconfiguration wherein the local bed thickness of the beverage ingredientis 1.5 to 2.2 times the local bed width of the beverage ingredient, isbelieved to assist with the break-up of agglomerations of solublebeverage ingredients by firstly, confining the circulating water to arelatively narrow annular volume which results in maintenance of higherwater velocities within the beverage ingredient chamber 6 and, secondly,by providing a larger circumferential surface area of the beverageingredient that can be directly exposed to the water.

Whilst not wishing to be bound by theory, the dispersion and dissolutionof the soluble beverage ingredients is understood to be driven by theshear stress applied to break-up the wetted powder mass of the solublebeverage ingredients as it is contacted by the water. By use of thefirst cylindrical filter wall 81, which may be relatively large comparedto the internal diameter of the beverage ingredient chamber 6, the shearrate of the water may be increased and thereby the shear stress appliedto the wetted powder mass of the beverage ingredient mix can beincreased leading to better dissolution of the soluble beverageingredients. For a 3-2 mm² inlet area and operating at pressures from0.6 to 1.2 bar the pump in a test system was found to give a flow rateof 5.5 to 3.6 ml/s into the inlet point 13. The velocity of the fluid,V, thru the inlet point 13 was in the range 0.9 to 1.8 m/s. Where theannular width of the beverage ingredient chamber is 9.5 mm, dividing theinlet velocity by this gap gives estimates of applied shear rates in thechamber of between 95 to 190 l/s.

The beverage thus formed from the hot water and the dissolved beverageingredients is then able to pass out of the beverage ingredient chamber6 through the first filtering apertures 82 of the first cylindricalfilter wall 81 and then the spaced apart second filtering apertures 92of the second cylindrical filter wall 91. The first and second filteringapertures 82, 92 act to filter out from the beverage any insolubleparticles that may have been present in the beverage ingredients andalso particles that have a reduced solubility such that for whateverreason the particles are not dissolved during the dispensation cycle.

Thus the first filter 8 defines an exit from the beverage ingredientchamber 6 and the second filter 9 forms a secondary filter whichimproves the filtering performance of the cartridge 1. The size of thesecond filtering apertures 92 may be smaller than the size of the firstfiltering apertures 82 so that the first filter 8 acts as a ‘coarse’filter and the second filter 9 acts as a ‘fine’ filter.

By providing the first and second filtering apertures 82, 92 to bearranged around a major portion of the circumference, respectively, ofthe first and second cylindrical filtering walls 81, 91 dispensationperformance of the cartridge 1 is maintained even as the first andsecond cylindrical filter walls 81, 91 retain and hold back particles ontheir upstream sides. This may be for two reasons. Firstly, therelatively large surface area of the first filter 8 and the secondfilter 9 (since they extend around a major portion of the circumference)means that even if some filtering apertures 82, 92 become blocked enoughother filtering apertures 82, 92 are present to allow adequatethrough-flow of beverage without creating too high a level ofback-pressure within the cartridge 1. Secondly, the cylindrical shapeof, particularly, the first filter 8 means that there is a tendency forfiltered particles held back by the first filtering apertures 82 to be‘washed off’ the first filter 8 by the circulating hot water/beveragemix within the annular beverage ingredient chamber 6 so that thefiltered particles tend to get carried back into circulating fluid flowrather than remaining trapped against the first filtering apertures 82.

A particular advantage is that the first filter 8 and the second filter9 prevent beverage ingredient particles larger than a desiredpredetermined size from reaching the flow constriction, preventing theflow constriction from becoming partially or totally blocked by suchparticles.

The back pressure of beverage collecting in the beverage ingredientchamber 6 forces the beverage under pressure through the first filter 8,the second filter 9, the annular space 18 and up the channel 19. Thebeverage then passes through the eductor. In so doing, the jet ofbeverage passes over the air inlet 27. As a result air is entrained intothe beverage stream in the form of a multitude of small air bubbles asthe air is drawn up through the air inlet 27. The jet of beverageissuing from the aperture turbulently flows within the upper part of thedischarge spout 12 wherein collisions with the upstanding projections 71help to modify the bubble size within the beverage. The beverage is thenfunnelled downwards along the exit bore of the discharge spout 12 to theoutlet where the beverage is discharged into a receptacle such as a cupwhere the air bubbles form the desired frothy appearance.

Various modifications may be made to the cartridge 1 of the presentdisclosure as described above without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. In the following passages of the description anumber of modifications and alternatives will be described that may bemade singularly or in any combination unless the context explicitlystates otherwise. In the following only the changes will be described indetail. In other respects the cartridges 1 are as described above. Inthe following description, like numbers are used for like features andcomponents.

FIGS. 7 to 8 show an alternative form of inner member 103 that may beused with the body 2 as described above to form a further embodiment ofcartridge 101. Inner member 103 is similar to the inner member 3described above except in that it comprises a second flow constrictionand a second air inlet 127 is provided in the transverse connectingflange 17. The second flow constriction and second air inlet 127 havethe same form as the flow constriction and the air inlet 27. In eachcase the size of the resulting aperture of the eductor is half the sizecompared to the first embodiment—each aperture having a cross-sectionalarea of 0.65 mm×0.5 mm=0.33 mm². Thus the combined open area of the twoeductor apertures is the same as the open area of the single eductoraperture of the first embodiment.

The second air inlet 127 is circumferentially aligned with the secondflow constriction. In addition, the second air inlet 127 and second flowconstriction are spaced from the air inlet 27 and the first flowconstriction around the circumference of the annular flange 17.Preferably they may be located diametrically opposite the air inlet 27and flow constriction 10 as shown in FIG. 8.

Another difference is that the second cylindrical filter wall 91 extendsdirectly from the mounting flange 50 rather than from the transverseconnecting flange 17. Thus, the transverse connecting flange 17 in thisembodiment only extends radially inwardly from the second cylindricalfilter wall 91. As a consequence the radial stiffening ribs 160 betweenthe first cylindrical filter wall 81 and the second cylindrical filterwall 91 are taller than in the first embodiment described above.

As well as the channel 19, a second channel 119 is provided to providefluid communication between the annular space 18 and the discharge spout12. The second flow constriction is arranged downstream of the secondchannel 119 such that two flow paths from the annular space 18 to thedischarge spout 12 are defined, the first flow path passing through thechannel 19 which now forms a first channel and first flow constrictionand the second flow path passing through the second channel 119 and thesecond flow constriction.

Since the second flow constriction is spaced from the first flowconstriction around the circumference of the annular flange 17 in usethe jets of beverage emerging from the first flow constriction andsecond flow constriction collide in the upper part of the dischargespout 12, resulting in improved mixing and frothing of the beverage. Inthe preferred arrangement, where the two eductors are diametricallyopposite one another, the jets of beverage impact one anothersubstantially head-on. The inclusion of the second flow constriction hasbeen found to result in reduced back pressure within the cartridge 101in use.

In use, the back pressure of beverage collecting in the beverageingredient chamber 6 forces the beverage under pressure through thefirst filter 8 and the second filter 9 as described above. The flow ofbeverage then separates into two flows the first flow passing throughthe first channel 19 and first flow constriction and the second flowpath passing through the second channel 119 and the second flowconstriction, emerging from each flow constriction as a jet into theupper end of the discharge spout 12. A first jet of beverage emergesfrom the first flow constriction and passes over air inlet 27. A secondjet of beverage emerges from the second flow constriction and passesover the second air inlet 127. As a result air is entrained into bothbeverage streams in the form of a multitude of small air bubbles as theair is drawn up through the air inlets 27, 127. The two jets collide inthe discharge spout 12 before being funnelled downwards to the outlet.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show another alternative form of inner member 203 that maybe used with the body 2 described above or a modified body 202 describedbelow to form a further embodiment of cartridge 201.

As before, the cartridge 201 comprises an inlet chamber 32. However, theinlet chamber 32 is not provided with a jetting slot 33 communicatingdirectly with the beverage ingredient chamber 6. Rather, the inletchamber 32 is provided with opposed slots 133 which communicate with theannular void space 44. In addition, the interior wall 43 is providedwith a pair of inlets 213 arranged at opposite sides of the beverageingredient chamber 6 as shown in FIG. 9. The pair of inlets 213 may bediametrically opposite one another and may be in the form of small slotsin the interior wall 43.

The cartridge 201 further comprises the alternative form of inner member203. The inner member 203 comprises a filter 208, a first flowconstriction, a second flow constriction, and a discharge spout 12. Thefilter 208 defines an exit from the beverage ingredient chamber 6. Thefilter 208 performs the same function as the first filter 8 describedabove. In this embodiment there is no second filter. The first flowconstriction and second flow constriction are arranged downstream of thefilter 208.

The filter 208 comprises a cylindrical filter wall 281 having aplurality of filtering apertures 282 located therein. The cylindricalfilter wall 281 is in the form of a tubular member comprising thefiltering apertures 282. The filtering apertures 282 are preferablyformed as slots that are relatively thin in a circumferential directionof the cylindrical filter wall 281 and relatively long in a longitudinaldirection thereof. The slots may be configured to filter out beverageingredient particles having a dimension of at least 0.5 mm, preferablyin the range 0.5-2 mm. A critical dimension (being the smallestdimension, for example the width) of the slots of the cylindrical filterwall 281 may be 0.4 to 0.6 mm, preferably 0.5 mm, in order to capturethe larger particles but allow flow of the beverage out of the beverageingredient chamber 6 without an unwanted substantial increase inback-pressure. The slots may extend from a free edge (i.e. the rim) ofthe cylindrical filter wall 281. The slots in the cylindrical filterwall 281 may be 3.0 mm long.

The discharge spout 12 and cylindrical tube 16 of the inner member 203are arranged within the cylindrical filter wall 281 and connectedthereto by the transverse connecting flange 17 as before.

An annular space 218 is defined between an inner face of the cylindricalfilter wall 281 and an outer face of the cylindrical tube 16. Fluidcommunication between the annular space 218 and the discharge spout 12is provided by the channel 19 which now forms a first channel and asecond channel 119 as in the embodiment described above. The arrangementof the first flow constriction, second flow constriction and thedischarge spout 12 are as described for inner member 103.

The diameter of the cylindrical filter wall 281 may be smaller than thatof the first cylindrical filter wall 81 of the embodiments describedabove. For example, the diameter of the cylindrical filter wall 281 maybe 18.5 mm. As before, the maximum internal diameter of the beverageingredient chamber 6 may be 57 mm. Therefore, each side of the resultantannular beverage ingredient chamber 6 has a width, w, of 19 mm and aheight, h, of 29 mm. Thus a void space is provided that allows beverageingredient to be filled into the cartridge 1 where the local bedthickness of the beverage ingredient is approximately 1.5 times thelocal bed width of the beverage ingredient.

Use of the cartridge 201 is the same as described above with referenceto cartridge 101 including inner member 103 except in the differencesdescribed below.

On injection of the hot water into the inlet chamber 32, the waterpasses through the opposed slots 233 into the annular void space 44until it reaches the pair of inlets 213. The water is then diverted tobe jetted into the beverage ingredient chamber 6 in a radial directiontowards the inner member 203. The water impacts on the inner member 203and then rebounds and sets up a circulatory pattern within the annularbeverage ingredient chamber 6. As before, passage of the hot waterwithin the annular beverage ingredient chamber 6 acts to dissolve thesoluble beverage ingredients.

The back pressure of beverage collecting in the annular beverageingredient chamber 6 forces the beverage under pressure through thefilter 208. The beverage passes directly into the annular space 218. Theflow of beverage then separates into two flows, the first flow passingthrough the first channel 19 and first flow constriction and the secondflow path passing through the second channel 119 and the second flowconstriction as in inner member 103. Thereafter, dispensation is asdescribed previously.

As noted, the described modifications and alternatives above may be madesingularly or in any combination, not only in those combinationsexplicitly mentioned above in the described embodiments. For example, asutilised in some of the worked examples below, embodiments of thecartridge according to the present disclosure may combine the body 2 ofFIG. 1 (having the jetting slot 33) with an inner member (notillustrated) having a single cylindrical filter wall 281 havingfiltering apertures 282 and a single eductor. Or in another example, thecartridge may combine the body 202 of FIG. 9 (having the opposed slots133) with an inner member (not illustrated) having a single cylindricalfilter wall 281 having filtering apertures 282 and a single eductor.

EXAMPLES

In the following examples cartridges were prepared and then dispensed ina beverage machine using hot water at ˜85° C.

In each test the same composition of beverage ingredients was used whichwas a conventional soluble chocolate beverage ingredient mix,comprising:

-   -   sugar (˜45-50%)    -   cocoa powder (˜5-10%)    -   whole milk powder (˜5-10%)    -   Skim milk powder (˜15-25%)    -   whey powder (0-15%)    -   creamer (0-10%)    -   with the balance other minor ingredients such as flavours (<1%).

In all cases the soluble powder chocolate beverage ingredient mix wasloaded into the cartridge at fill weights ranging from 25-33 g. Thecartridge was then sealed with the lid 5. The cartridge was dispensed ina Tassimo® T-20/Amia beverage preparation machine running at 240 V.During dispensation the peak pressures during the ‘brew’ stage and the‘purge’ stage were measured and recorded. The ‘brew’ stage is the periodof the dispensation cycle where the bulk of the hot water is injectedinto the cartridge to mix with the beverage ingredients and be directedinto the receptacle. The ‘purge’ stage follows the ‘brew’ stage andinvolves the injection of steam through the cartridge (although someresidual water may also be present) in order to drive out as far aspossible liquid from the cartridge into the receptacle. At the end ofbeverage dispensation, the drink weight delivered into the receptacleand the weight of the wet cartridge were recorded. Finally the wetcartridges were put in an oven at ˜103-105° C. for three hours or untilall the water had evaporated. The dry residue in grams was measured byweighing the dry cartridges and then the % solids in cup was calculatedand expressed as % yield in cup. All tests were repeated 100 times andthe results for each cartridge type were averaged.

A summary of the results is shown in Table 1 below, wherein:

For Example 1—a comparative example of a cartridge as shown in FIG. 12was used having a body 202 of the same type as shown in FIG. 9, an innermember 303 having a cylindrical wall 381 of diameter 18.5 mm andprovided with large apertures 382 (not filtering apertures) and having asingle eductor. The fill weight of beverage ingredient is 33 g.

For Example 2—a cartridge as shown in FIG. 13 was used having a body 202of the same type as shown in FIG. 9, an inner member 403 similar to theinner member 203 as shown in FIG. 10 in that it has a single cylindricalfilter wall 281 of diameter 18.5 mm but only a single eductor. The fillweight is 33 g.

For Example 3—a cartridge was used comprising a body 2 as shown in FIG.1, an inner member having a single cylindrical filter wall of diameter29 mm and having filtering apertures and a single eductor. The fillweight is 25 g.

For Example 4—a cartridge was used comprising a body 2 as shown in FIG.1 and an inner member 103 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 having first andsecond cylindrical filter walls 81, 91 having filtering aperturestherein with the first cylindrical filter wall 81 having a diameter of29 mm. The fill weight is 25 g.

For Example 5—the cartridge used being the same as Example 2 but with afill weight of 26 g.

In each of the example of the cartridge is sealed with a lid.

TABLE 1 Average Average Average Average Average Drink Peak Purge PeakBrew Wet Dry Average Disc No. of Powder Fill Weight Pressure PressureResidue Residue Yield Description inlets Weights (g) (g) (bar) (bar) (g)(%) (%) Example 1 2 33 183 2.1 1.6 10.37 18 82 Example 2 2 33 180 1.61.0 11.3 23 77 Example 3 1 25 175 1.7 1.2 8.7 15 85 Example 4 1 25 1800.9 0.6 4.5 9 91 Example 5 2 26 179 1.5 0.9 5.4 12 88

As can be seen from the results, the cartridges of Example 1 which donot have a first filter 8 or second filter 9 according to the presentdisclosure and only possess a single flow restriction in the form of asingle eductor suffer from relatively high peak pressures—during thebrew stage of 1.6 bar and during the purge stage of 2.1 bar. Whilst notwishing to be bound by theory it is believed that the high peakpressures are caused by partial or full blockage (for at least some ofthe dispensation cycle) of the single flow restriction at the narrowestpoint of the slot of the eductor by particles of the beverageingredient(s) that are either relatively insoluble or have not dissolvedsufficiently before reaching the flow restriction. The yield from thecartridges is also relatively low at 82%.

The cartridges of Example 2 which possess only a single filter and asingle flow restriction in the form of a single eductor benefit fromslightly reduced peak pressures compared to Example 1—during the brewstage of 1.0 bar and during the purge stage of 1.6 bar. However, theyield from the capsules is low at 77%.

By contrast the cartridges of Examples 3 to 5, benefit fromsignificantly reduced peak pressures in combination with improvedyields. Most preferably, the cartridges of Example 4 have low peakpressures—during the brew stage of 0.6 bar and during the purge stage of0.9 bar in combination with the yield from the capsules being increasedto 91%.

Whilst not wishing to be bound by theory it is believed that theimprovements, in particular for the cartridges of Examples 3 to 5, comesfrom a combination of factors. The provision of at least one filter inthe form of a filter wall with filtering apertures is believed to helpto prevent partial or full blockage of the flow restriction(s) at thenarrowest point of the slot of the eductor(s) by particles of thebeverage ingredient(s) that are either relatively insoluble or have notdissolved sufficiently, since those particles are held back by thefiltering apertures upstream of the flow restriction. In addition,configuring the filter as a cylindrical filter with a large number ofindividual filtering apertures in the form of slots means that even ifsome are blocked, others remain to allow the beverage to flow onwardstowards the outlet point. Further the swirling, circulating flow withinthe annular beverage ingredient chamber 6 may have a tendency to ‘wash’away the particles from the surface of the filter wall leading tore-opening of blocked filtering apertures. This beneficial effect isenhanced where the inner member has a relatively large diameter comparedto the body so that the local bed thickness of the beverage ingredientis 1.5 to 2.2 times the local bed width of the beverage ingredient.

Various further modifications will now be described which may be made toany of the cartridges of the present disclosure as described above (orother cartridges) without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In the following passages of the description a number ofmodifications and alternatives will be described that may be madesingularly or in any combination unless the context explicitly statesotherwise. In the following only the changes will be described indetail. In other respects the cartridges may be as described above or asset out in the appended claims. In the following description, likenumbers are used for like features and components.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 14 b a conduit upstream of the or each flowconstriction may be configured to prevent deposition of undissolved orpartially dissolved beverage ingredient. As can be seen in the versionof the cartridge shown in FIG. 14a , the shaping and sizing of thecentrally-located boss 40 with its cylindrical extension 24 can resultin there being a ‘dead space’ 150 at an upper end of the channel 19immediately upstream of each flow constriction 10. In the modifiedcartridge shown in FIG. 14b the portion of the channel 19 immediatelyupstream of the flow constriction 10 has been smoothed by extending thecentrally-located boss 40 so that it terminates flush with the upperedge of the slot 25 of the flow restriction 10. This results in therenot being any dead spaces, sharp corners or sudden changes in concavityupstream of the flow restriction which might encourage particledeposition.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the beverage ingredient chamber 6 maycomprise one or more partition elements 151 which act to demarcate twoor more zones 6 a to 6 d within the beverage ingredient chamber 6, eachof which contain the one or more beverage ingredients. Preferably, theone or more partition elements 151 extend from the first filter 8towards the body 2 of the cartridge 1. The one or more partitions 151may be planar as shown in FIG. 16 and may be orientated radially withinthe body 2. In the example shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 there are fourpartitions 151 provided equi-spaced around the circumference.

FIG. 17 shows an alternative wherein the one or more partitions 152 arecurved. This may aid funnelling of the beverage towards the first filter8.

The one or more partitions 151, 152 may extend from thecentrally-located first filter 8 towards the surrounding wall of thebody 2. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18, partitions 153 may beprovided which extend into contact with the surrounding wall of the bodyso as to fully separate zones 6 a to 6 d, one from the other, within thebeverage ingredient chamber 6. Each, separate, zone 6 a to 6 d willcomprise at least one inlet 33 permitting entry of the aqueous mediuminto the zone and at least a portion of the first filter 8 permittingexit of beverage from the zone.

Advantageously, separating the beverage ingredient chamber 6 into two ormore zones 6 a to 6 d can produce better dissolution of the one or morebeverage ingredients by focussing the mixing of the aqueous medium andthe beverage ingredients in key areas and providing alternative flowpatterns.

As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, a flow path from the filter(s) 8, 9 to theflow constriction(s) 10 may be configured to be spiral in shape. Forexample, spiral ramp elements 154 may be located within the annularspace 18 between the terminal filter (the second filter 9 where present,or the first filter 8 where only one filter is provided) and thecylindrical tube 16, wherein the beverage is forced to flow through theannular space 18 on the way to the flow constriction(s) 10. The spiralramp elements 154 cause the beverage to spiral around the cylindricaltube 16 creating additional mixing vortices and swirl within thebeverage. Advantageously, this flow pattern can help to break up small,partially wetted clumps of beverage ingredient which may have managed topass the filter(s). Additional obstructions 155, for example, ribs,corners, etc. can be provided on the spiral ramp elements 154 to aidbreak-up of clumps. In the illustrated example, four spiral rampelements 154 are provided equi-spaced around the circumference with eachspiral ramp element 154 turning through approximately 90 degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, the beverage ingredient chamber 6 maycontain a plurality of bristles 156. The bristles 156 advantageously canact to disrupt the flow path with the beverage ingredient chamber 6 topromote turbulence and better mixing of the one or more beverageingredients. The bristles 156 may be arranged around, and spaced from,the first filter 8. The bristles 156 may comprise elongate plastic pins.The bristles may extend the full height of the beverage ingredientchamber 6. The bristles 156 may be formed unitarily as part of the innermember 3 also comprising the first filter 8 received within the body 2.In the example shown, the bristles 156 extend downwards from themounting flange 50. The bristles 156 are arranged in three concentricrings about the first filter 8. The spacing between neighbouringbristles 156 is such that the bristles 156 do not carry out a filteringfunction but rather act to break up agglomerations of powdered beverageingredient.

As shown in FIG. 25 the body 2 of the annular beverage ingredientchamber 6 may comprise multiple inlet points 33, each of which may beangled so that the flow of aqueous medium entering is stopped fromentering radially but is rather angled at greater than 45° andpreferably at 90°. As shown in FIG. 25 the angling may be achieved byproviding an L-shaped cover 160 to each inlet slot 33 so that the flowis turned through 90° before entering the annular beverage ingredientchamber. As shown the body comprises four inlet points 33 spaced at 90°from each other. Other numbers of inlet points can be provided.

As shown in FIG. 26, the body 2 defining the beverage ingredient chamber6 may have one or more lobes 162 as part of an outer side wall of thebeverage ingredient chamber 6. The one or more lobes 162 may besmoothly, convexly curved (when viewed from a centre-point of thecartridge) with a smooth inwardly-directed face 163. A lobe 162 may beprovided between pairs of inlet apertures 33 to the beverage ingredientchamber 6. Advantageously, the one or more lobes 162 can improvedissolution of the one or more beverage ingredients by first, confiningthe incoming aqueous medium to a smaller cross-sectional flow arealeading to improved shear forces and higher flow velocities whichimprove dissolution. Secondly, the one or more lobes 162, whenpositioned between pairs of inlet apertures 33, tend to decrease theamount of ‘dead space’ in the beverage ingredient chamber 6. By ‘deadspace’ is meant that part or parts of the volume of the beverageingredient chamber 6 where circulating flow of the aqueous medium and/orbeverage tends not to reach. For example, with an annular beverageingredient chamber 6 having four equi-spaced radially-directed inletapertures 33 at, say, 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°, it has been found that thelocations by the side wall at 45°, 135°, 225° and 315° tend to be ‘deadspaces’ which tend not to be reached by circulating flow.

As shown in FIG. 27 the beverage ingredient chamber 6 may comprise twoor more separate chambers 164, 165 each of which hold a differentbeverage ingredient. For example, a first chamber 165 may hold sugar ora sugar-containing ingredient and a second chamber 164 may hold achocolate-containing ingredient. Each, separate, chamber will compriseat least one inlet 33 a, 33 b permitting entry of the aqueous mediuminto the chamber and at least a portion of the first filter 8 permittingexit of beverage from the chamber. Advantageously, such an arrangementcan be used to tailor the size and number of inlet apertures and thesize and number of filtering apertures to each ingredient.

As shown in FIG. 28, the beverage ingredient chamber 6 may comprise adedicated flow-conditioning chamber 168 which receives incoming aqueousmedium in a first condition and discharges the aqueous medium into aremainder of the beverage ingredient chamber in a second condition. Thefirst and second conditions may include one or more of: first and secondflow velocities, first and second flow directions, and first and secondflow compositions. For example, the flow-conditioning chamber 168 maycomprise an angled wall 167 to condition an incoming aqueous medium thathas a first condition of a relatively low flow velocity, a radial flowdirection 169 and a composition of pure water into a second condition ofa flow having a relatively high flow velocity, a tangential flowdirection 166 and a composition of water mixed with one or more beverageingredients.

As shown in FIG. 29, the beverage ingredient chamber 6 may comprise aplate member 175 which initially rests on a bed of the one or morebeverage ingredients. The use of the plate member 175 finds particularapplication where the inlet(s) 33 to the beverage ingredient chamber arelocated at or towards a bottom of the beverage ingredient chamber. Inuse, as the one or more beverage ingredients is incrementally dissolvedaway beneath the plate member 175 the weight of the plate member 175(which may be freely movable within the beverage ingredient chamber 6)forces undissolved beverage ingredient higher up in the beverageingredient chamber downwards into the path of the incoming aqueousmedium. The plate member 175 may comprise apertures 176 to allow forcirculation of aqueous medium and/or beverage above and below the platemember in use as shown by arrows 177.

As shown in FIG. 30, the beverage ingredient chamber 6 may contain arotatable mixer blade assembly 178. The rotatable mixer blade assembly178 may comprise one or more vanes or blades 179 which act to break upagglomerations of powdered beverage ingredient as the rotatable mixerblade assembly 178 rotates within the beverage ingredient chamber 6.Rotation of the rotatable mixer blade assembly 178 is caused by themovement of the aqueous medium and in this case the rotation can beenhanced by jetting the aqueous medium into the beverage ingredientchamber 6 with an tangential directional component so as to generate awhirling flow within the beverage ingredient chamber 6.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the beverage ingredient chamber 6 maycomprise one or more baffles orientated to induce vertical vorticeswithin the beverage ingredient chamber. In the example of FIG. 31 acurved baffle 190 is provided as part of the inner member 3 and receivedincoming aqueous medium that is jetted into the beverage ingredientchamber at the bottom of the chamber. The curved baffle 190 directs theflow upwards so that a vertical vortex of flow is created as shown byarrow 191. In the example of FIG. 32 a baffle 193 is provided at thebase of the beverage ingredient chamber 6 neat the inlet point 33 whichcauses the incoming fluid to be directed upwards initially to create avertical vortex as shown by arrow 194.

The disclosure has been described above by way of example as having abody 2, 202 and inner member 3, 103, 203 formed as separate componentswhich are conjoined during assembly of the cartridge. Alternatively thebody 2, 202 and inner member 3, 103, 203 may be formed as a singlecomponent.

The disclosure has been described above by way of example embodied in acartridge formed from, amongst other parts, an outer member 2 and aninner member 3. In particular, the flow constriction has been describedas delimited by portions of the body 2, 202 and inner member 3, 103,203. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure is alsoapplicable to apertures formed in a single component rather than fromthe junction of two components.

The one or more beverage ingredients may be a powder, a concentratedliquid or a gel. The cartridge described is suitable for any productwhich forms coagulates or agglomerates or which comprises particlessusceptible to remaining undiluted by the aqueous medium. For example,beverage ingredients may be concentrated chocolate, flavour enhancingsyrups, vitamin supplements or chocolate powder mix, containinginsoluble particles of cocoa, which are typically 0.5 to 2 mm in size.

The cartridge 1, 101, 201 may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. The body2, may be formed as a single integral piece from high densitypolyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, or a laminate oftwo or more of these materials. The body 2, 202 may be opaque,transparent or translucent. The body 2, 202 and/or inner member 3, 103,203 may be formed from a biodegradable polymer.

The body 2, 202 described above is generally circular or disc-shaped.Alternatively, the body 2, 202 may be of another form suitable forinsertion into an on-demand beverage machine, for example the body 2,202 may be frustroconical or cup-shaped.

The cartridge 1, 101, 201 may be closed by a rigid or semi-rigid lidinstead of a flexible laminate.

1. A cartridge for preparation of a beverage, the cartridge being sealedprior to use and containing one or more beverage ingredients, thecartridge being suitable to receive in use an aqueous medium which maybe brought into contact with the one or more beverage ingredients toproduce a beverage which may be output from the cartridge, the cartridgecomprising: a body defining a beverage ingredient chamber containing theone or more beverage ingredients; a filter defining an exit from thebeverage ingredient chamber; and a first and a second flow constrictiondownstream of the filter, wherein the cartridge comprises a first flowpath from the filter to the first flow constriction and a second flowpath from the filter to the second flow constriction, wherein the firstand second flow constrictions are configured such that, in use, a firstbeverage jet emanates from the first flow constriction and a secondbeverage jet emanates from the second flow constriction, and the firstand second flow constrictions are configured so that the first andsecond beverage jets collide.
 2. A cartridge as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first and second flow constrictions are located opposite oneanother such that the first and second beverage jets impact one anothersubstantially head-on.
 3. A cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein anair inlet aperture is located in the vicinity of each flow constrictionand downstream thereof, such that the jets of beverage each pass over anair inlet aperture.
 4. A cartridge as claimed in in claim 1, wherein thefilter comprises a filter wall.
 5. A cartridge as claimed in in claim 1,wherein the filter comprises a rigid element having a plurality offiltering apertures located therein.
 6. A cartridge as claimed in inclaim 1, wherein the filter comprises a tubular member having aplurality of filtering apertures located therein.
 7. A cartridge asclaimed in in claim 1, wherein the cartridge is configured to direct theaqueous medium entering the beverage ingredient chamber to circulatearound the filter.
 8. A cartridge as claimed in in claim 1, wherein thebeverage ingredient chamber is annular, with the filter forming at leasta part of an inner surface of the annular beverage ingredient chamber,and preferably the body of the cartridge is configured to direct theaqueous medium entering the beverage ingredient chamber at an anglegreater than 45°, preferably at 90° from a radial direction of theannular beverage ingredient chamber such that the aqueous medium iscaused to circulate around the annular beverage ingredient chamber.
 9. Acartridge as claimed in in claim 1, wherein the filter comprisesfiltering apertures in the form of elongated slots formed in a rigid,otherwise impermeable, wall element, and preferably the elongated slotsextend from a free edge of the wall element.
 10. A cartridge as claimedin in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a cup-shaped member housingthe filter, an open mouth of the cup-shaped housing being sealed by alid, and preferably the filter comprises filtering apertures in the formof elongated slots formed in a rigid, otherwise impermeable, wallelement, wherein the elongated slots extend into contact with the lid.